Card index, file, and the like



March 24, 1936.

CARD INDEX, FILE, AND THE LIKE Filed May 2, 19:54

c. T. TOLLEFSEN 2,035,352

Patented Mar. 24, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARD INDEX, FILE, ANDTHE LIKE Application May 2, 1934, Serial No. 723,551 In Norway June 15,1933 3 Claims.

This invention relates to card indeXes, files and the like and has forits object to construct such devices in such a manner that the cards orthelike are readily separated and accessible and preferably so storedthat they may be arranged in desired groups or the like.

In general, according to the invention, the cards, or some of the cardscarry or are subject to the action of spring means which tend to spaceapart adjacent cards at their free edges.

Alternatively, between the cards, or some of the cards, inserts orinsertion cards are fitted which are provided with springs.

The drawers or other containers for the cards are formed to receive(preferably adjustably) hingedly or otherwise, separating partitionsbetween desired groups of cards.

In this manner when such a partition is turned about the edge or thelike remote from its outer free edge, the cards between this partitionand the next partition are freed to open out under the action of thespring means applied thereto or to the insertion cards.

The supports for the cards and separator members or partitions comprisea lower rail formed with transverse grooves to receive the pivots orhinges of the said separator members the said pivots being clampedbetween the said lower rail and an upper rail, which supports the cards,by means of screws, and the separators or partitions may be formed orfitted with a weight at their free extremities to facilitate handlingand also further to press the inserts or cards together.

The invention will now be described moreparticularly by reference to theaccompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 shows the supports withthe cards and inserts clamped between apair of separator members or partitions.

Fig. 2 shows similar supports with the separator members or partitionsturned outwardly and the cards and inserts separated at their top edges.

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view of the support for the cards and separatormembers.

Fig. 4 shows a card, in front elevation fitted with a spring.

Fig. 5 shows a rear view of a card and spring.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional end View of Fig. 2.

As will be seen from the drawing the support for the cards and separatormembers comprises a lower rail l and an upper, preferably thinner rail2, the said rails being in the nature of fiat bars or strips applied tothe base of a drawer or container in a substantially central position.The

lower rail is formed with spaced transverse grooves 3 into which thepivots 4 of the separator members or partitions 5 are fitted. To varythe grip on the pivots so that the separator members may be retained inany position, the fiat rails or strips l and 2 are connected by spacedscrews 6 passing through the upper rail and threading into the lowerrail the tightening or loosening of which effects the purpose.

The cards 1 have applied to the edge, forming the outer free edge, aspring 8 comprising a bent strip of light gauge phosphor bronze or othersuitable springy metal. The strip is doubled on itself and thereby gripsthe edge of the card, although if desired small spikes or tongues in thestrip may be forced into engagement with the material of the card.Springs of a similar nature may also be applied to the insertion cards9.

When the cards 1 are closely packed together by the separator members 5(see Fig. 1) the springs are straightened out, but when a separatormember is turned on its pivot the springs 8 expand and cause the cardsto be fanned out or separated as shown in Fig. 2.

The inserts may be provided with holes by means of which they can bemounted on longitudinally disposed rods. The cards may then be fittedbetween the inserts. Consequently should two inserts be directly incontact, the absence of a card or cards will be apparent.

As will be realized the separator members 5 can be mounted in anydesired position according to the required grouping of the cards.

Having thus described my invention what I desire to secure by LettersPatent of the United States is:

1. In card indexes, files and the like, means for spacing adjacent cardsat their free edges comprising a resilient clip like spring composed ofa strip of thin spring tempered sheet metal doubled on itself, the uppermarginal parts being flattened together to grip the edge of a card andthe remainder forming two tongues bowed outward away from each other buttending to close together at their free tips and adapted by theirthinness and resiliency to be flattened by slight pressure and to openout again when the pressure is released.

2. The combination with the cards in a card index, file or the like, ofseparate detachable sprin means applied over the upper free edge of eachof the cards tending to space apart adjacent cards at those edges, saidmeans consisting of a resilient clip like device composed of a strip ofthin resilient sheet metal or other material doubled on itself, theupper marginal parts being flattened together sufficiently to grip theedge of the card and forming two spring tongues bowed outwardly awayfrom the surfaces of the card but tending to close together at theirfree tips which rest lightly one on each side of the card, the bowed outportions of the tongues being adapted by their thinness and resiliencyto be flattened out against the cards by slight pressure as when thecards are packed together and. to open out again and separate the cardswhen such pressure is released.

3. In card indexes, files and the like, having index cards and insertcards the combination with the insert cards between the index cards ofseparate detachable spring means applied over the upper free edge ofeach insert card tending to space the cards apart, said means consistingof a resilient clip-like device composed of a strip of thin resilientsheet metal or other material doubled on itself, the upper marginalparts being flattened together to grip the edge of the card and theremainder forming two tongues bowed outwardly away from the surfaces ofthe card but tending to close together at their free tips which restlightly one on each side of the card, the bowed out portions of thetongues being adapted by their thinness and resiliency to be flattenedout against the cards by slight pressure, as when the cards are packedtogether, and to open out again when such pressure is released.

CARL THORLEIF TOLLEFSEN.

